By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated the victorious Team Delta for winning the 5th National Youth Games (NYG).
Okowa praised the team for doggedness and determination which culminated in its back-to-back victory at the 5th edition of the games, which ended in Ilorin, Kwara, on Tuesday.
With this victory, Team Delta has won the games for the fifth consecutive time.
In a statement issued by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Governor Okowa particularly expressed delight that the team surpassed last year’s record in winning the competition.
He congratulated the athletes, their handlers and the management of Delta State Sports Commission on the record, which he described as “resounding “.
Okowa attributed the successes of the team to the huge investment of the state government in sports.
He assured that the talents discovered at this year’s games would be nurtured and mentored to become future stars for the state, country and the world.
“I must commend and congratulate Team Delta for making us proud again by winning the 5th edition of the games.
“It is instructive to note that our winning wasn’t by chance but by strategic planning and huge investments in sports development.
“As a multi-ethnic state, we have identified sports as a unifying factor and it helped us to bring the youths together in a disciplined manner for their own good and that of our state in particular and Nigeria in general.
“As a government, we have continued to devise ways and means to develop and further grow sports, which is evidenced by the revived Headmaster’s and Principal’s Cup Competitions and our huge investment in sports development,” the governor said.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Sports for organizing the Games and called for more stakeholder involvement in funding sports development in the country.
The 2019 National Youth Games began on Sept. 10 and ended on Tuesday, with Delta finishing first with a total of 104 medals.
It garnered 41 gold, 32 silver and 31 bronze, while Lagos State emerged second with a total of 72 medals 22 gold, 36 silver and 14 bronze.
Bayelsa finished third, winning 45 medals – 17 gold, six silver and 22 bronze.
